International Journal of Paleopathology最新文献

{"title":"Presentism in paleopathology, through the lens of male breast cancer","authors":"Thomas J. Siek","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.04.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.04.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To highlight possible presentist biases within paleopathological differential diagnosis by calling into question the diagnostic value of the concept of clinical rarity in modern populations, with reference to male breast cancer as a case study.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>Published paleopathological case reports of human skeletal remains estimated to be biologically male or possibly male with lesions attributed to metastatic carcinoma and multiple myeloma. Case reports from 1909 to 2017 were sourced from the Cancer Research in Ancient Bodies (CRAB) Database (n = 275), as well as a supplemental literature search for publications from 2018 to 2023.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Exclusion criteria were established to filter and identify paleopathological case reports published before 2024. All identified cases were assessed whether, when presented with metastatic lesions in the skeleton of a male, breast cancer was considered in the differential diagnosis or rejected, and the reasoning.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Eighty-five case reports were identified that included skeletal remains estimated as male with metastatic lesions. Of these, 13 case reports considered male breast cancer in the differential diagnosis. This diagnosis was reasoned against by all but one, with most citing modern clinical rarity with little to no further consideration of this disease.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Presentism bias and the concept of clinical rarity may be hindering paleo-oncological research, as potential diagnoses are not often fully considered.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Paleopathological researchers are called on to re-examine their theoretical methodology and reflect on possible presentist biases in their investigation of diseases in the past.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for future research</h3><div>Further interrogation and consideration of male breast cancer in paleopathological differential diagnosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 128-132"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143854936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insights into the anatomical expressions of anencephaly in three infants from 17th to 19th- century Lisbon, Portugal","authors":"Marina Lourenço ,&nbsp;Francisco Curate ,&nbsp;Eugénia Cunha","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.04.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to analyse and compare the cranial morphological variations in three individuals, each exhibiting different severity levels of malformations.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>Three nearly complete and well-preserved skeletons of infants from the São Domingos children's necropolis in Lisbon, Portugal, dating from the 17th to early 19th centuries.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Macroscopic and metric assessments were performed aimed at creating a detailed description of the skeletons.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The three infants exhibit an absence of the upper cranial vault, accompanied by several cranial bone alterations such as abnormal development and morphology of the occipital, sphenoid, temporal, and frontal bones. Additionally, two of the infants present maxillary and dental anomalies.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The three infants from the São Domingos necropolis provide crucial insights into the presence of anencephaly in an historical population, representing an exceptionally rare archaeological find. The distinct cranial abnormalities strongly support the diagnosis and highlight varying severity levels of the condition.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>These examples enhance the recognition of anencephaly in archaeological contexts and deepen the understanding of its varied bone expressions. Examining skeletal variations within the same condition also complements the broader palaeopathological discussion of rare diseases.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>The lack of soft tissue preservation reduces a comprehensive assessment of anencephaly in skeletal remains. The archaeological context presents challenges such as fragmentation. Additionally, determining postnatal survival is difficult due to the subtle or absent skeletal indicators that might suggest survival beyond birth.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Biomolecular genetics analysis could be a valuable approach for future research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 119-127"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143851648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Embracing complexity. Porous cranial lesions and their paleopathological significance in two population samples from Neolithic Northern Germany","authors":"Emmanuele Petiti ,&nbsp;Daria Moser ,&nbsp;Detlef Jantzen ,&nbsp;Florian Klimscha ,&nbsp;Katharina Fuchs","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To assess phenotypic variation of porous cranial lesions and their co-occurrence with infections of the upper respiratory apparatus and endocranial lesions, to infer disease burden in two different Neolithic socio-economic groups.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>Human skulls of at least 111 individuals from a collective grave at Sorsum (farmers) and 30 individual biurials at Ostorf (aquatic foragers) from northern Germany (c. 3300–2900 BCE).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A new data recording protocol for scoring porous cranial lesion phenotypic variation and the assessment of inter- and intra-site frequencies and anatomical distribution. Statistical analysis of lesion frequencies and co-occurrences.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>High odds of porous cranial lesions and upper respiratory apparatus lesions co-occurrence, and of subperiosteal new bone formation of the vault (a porous cranial lesion phenotype) and endocranial lesions, are noted for both sites. Site-specific phenotypic profiles and distribution patterns differ. For Sorsum, juvenile individuals show greater porous cranial lesion frequencies and active lesions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Considering disease interplay is key for understanding porous cranial lesion phenotypic variation. Disease profiles can be associated with subsistence strategies. The results rule out dichotomic models (e.g. “civilization stress”) and support more nuanced reconstructions of the Neolithic social-economic transformations.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This study emphasizes the need to adopt data recording protocols that include a wider range of porous cranial lesions to understand overlapping pathophysiological pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Considerable preservation bias of the population samples. Inter-observer error is to be tested. Radiographic analyses are needed to corroborate the results.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Further studies on larger assemblages from different geographical and chronological contexts are needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 104-118"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143791548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A short and sickly life. Multi-indicator analysis of an infant from a late antique Italian burial site (Piano della Civita, Artena, 3rd-5th cent CE)","authors":"Viola Cecconi ,&nbsp;Alessia Nava ,&nbsp;Federico Lugli ,&nbsp;Alissa Mittnik ,&nbsp;Susanna Sawyer ,&nbsp;Jan Gadeyne ,&nbsp;Cécile Brouillard ,&nbsp;Ron Pinhasi ,&nbsp;David Reich ,&nbsp;Alessandra Sperduti","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate pathological lesions and related growth impairment in an infant from a late antiquity context in central Italy.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>The individual labeled as 04.AR.60004 comes from a small burial plot in Piano della Civita di Artena, Italy, dated to the 3rd-5th centuries.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Macroscopic examination, metric analysis, dental histomorphometry, amelogenin sequencing, and aDNA analyses were employed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Individual 04.AR.60004 is an infant male with an estimated age-at-death of 2 months showing two metabolic stress events, one occurring before birth and one a few days before death. The well-preserved skeleton shows diffuse abnormal cortical porosity and subperiosteal new bone formation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The type and distribution of the skeletal lesions suggest a diagnosis of infantile scurvy, probably associated with a general status of malnutrition. Dimensions of cranial and postcranial bones show a wide discrepancy between the skeletal age (38–40 fetal weeks) and the dental histological age (2 months).</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Including enamel histology age-at-death estimation may expand our knowledge of the influence of severe pathological cases on growth.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Although scurvy remains the most obvious diagnosis, we cannot exclude other related micronutrient deficiencies which might have affected the individual.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Including dental histometric and molecular sex estimation in infant pathological cases can help us to recognize impaired growth and enhance our understanding of sex-based susceptibility and potential biases in childcare within ancient communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 93-103"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143768639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Are endocranial granular impressions pathognomonic of tuberculous meningitis or a marker of tuberculous infection? An investigation on a medieval osteoarcheological assemblage from Italy","authors":"Maria Laura Genchi ,&nbsp;Valentina Giuffra ,&nbsp;Stefano Campana ,&nbsp;Giulia Riccomi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>In recent paleopathological literature, granular impressions on the endocranial surface are considered pathognomonic of tuberculous meningitis. This study aims to verify the presence of granular impressions and assess their relationship with tuberculosis in an archeological human skeletal assemblage.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>The study analyzed the endocranial surfaces of 212 skulls (38 non-adults and 174 adults) from the medieval site of Pieve di Pava, Italy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Macroscopic and stereomicroscopic examination of the endocranial surface was conducted to evaluate the presence, location, and manifestation of granular impressions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Granular impressions affected more than half of the individuals, with no statistical difference between males and females.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The high frequency of granular impressions challenges their interpretation as pathognomonic of tuberculous meningitis, a rare complication of tuberculosis affecting the central nervous system. Instead, these lesions should be considered indicative of bacteremia, when bacilli reach the central nervous system and form tubercles on the meninges. It cannot be established whether these tubercles were quiescent or had ruptured, leading to tuberculous meningitis.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Based on the pathogenic life cycle of <em>M. tuberculosis,</em> as defined in clinical settings, it seems prudent to consider granular impressions as a marker of tuberculosis infection, rather than of active tuberculosis disease or tuberculous meningitis in paleopathology.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Research limitations include the smaller number of non-adults compared to adults.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Screening of granular impressions in other large osteoarcheological assemblages could provide new and more reliable data on the spread of tuberculosis infection across different social contexts, geographical settings, and historical periods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 81-92"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143696675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From privies to disease: Parasites and pollen from 19th century Québec City","authors":"Aida R. Barbera ,&nbsp;Guillaume Pouliot ,&nbsp;Martin Lavoie ,&nbsp;Najat Bhiry ,&nbsp;Allison Bain ,&nbsp;Karine Taché","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This project combines the analysis of parasites and pollen remains from a wealthy 19th century household in Québec City, Canada to examine health as it intersects with ecological and cultural factors of disease transmission in changing urban environments.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>Nineteen sediment samples from two privy structures from a 19th century wealthy household in Québec City, Canada.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The parasite analysis was conducted by examining the sediment through acid digestion, deflocculation and micro-sieving, and observed under a brightfield microscope. Pollen analysis followed the same method, but the sediments were further treated with acetolysis before microscopic observation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The samples tested positive for the parasites <em>Trichuris trichiura</em>, <em>Ascaris lumbricoides</em> and capillariids. The pollen spectra showed a mixed diet based on species of cereals and other starchy foods, fruits, and green leaves, as well as condiments and potential medicinal ingredients (Myrtaceae).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The household members were infected with intestinal parasites spread through contact with fecal contaminated soils, suggesting deficient sanitation and hygiene. The pollen grains recovered evidence of a staple diet and medicinal remedies.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This project highlights the benefits of using multiple lines of evidence to understand health in the past. Insight into how urbanization and poor sanitation can create environments conducive to parasite infection is gained and expands our knowledge of disease transmission and the synergies between environment and disease.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>The analysis of privy structures offers an interpretation at the community level, masking individual idiosyncrasies.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Similar studies on other contemporaneous sites across the city are needed to better comprehend the link between pathogen transmission, disease intensity and socioenvironmental factors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 69-80"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143687873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ossicular chain changes revealed middle ear inflammation in medieval rural central Italy (Tuscany 10th-12th century)","authors":"Emy Gentile ,&nbsp;Valentina Giuffra ,&nbsp;Stefano Campana ,&nbsp;Giulia Riccomi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To assess the prevalence of chronic otitis media in the medieval rural site of Pieve di Pava (central Italy) by analysing pathological changes in auditory ossicles and to investigate specific risk factors responsible for middle ear inflammation in a rural environment.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>A total of 224 ossicles from 119 individuals (20 pre-adults and 99 adults) were examined.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Stereomicroscopic observation was used to evaluate osteoclastic and osteoblastic COM-related bone changes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>COM-related bone changes were observed in 52 ossicles, pertaining to 39 individuals (25 % of pre-adults and 34.3 % of adults), with no statistically significant difference between adult males and females. Pitting was the most common lesion-type (82.7 %), while new bone formation was less common (13.5 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Compared to urban medieval sites in western and northern-eastern Europe, the individuals from rural Pieve di Pava exhibited lower rates of chronic otitis media. This may be attributed to reduced exposure to urban-risk factors, such as indoor air pollution and overcrowding. Conversely, rural-specific factors, like farming, husbandry, and craft activities, might have influenced the observed prevalence.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The broad range of lesion-types on the ossicles and their severity helped us to provide diagnostic criteria for assessing COM in paleopathology.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>The inability to examine all ossicles per individual, as well as the restricted number of pre-adults compared to adults.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for Future research</h3><div>Further archaeological population-based studies examining ossicles from different time periods and urban/rural settings across Mediterranean Europe could provide insights into the prevalence of chronic otitis media with a diachronic perspective.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 58-68"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143551469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A case of disability and care during Inca times","authors":"Catalina Morales,&nbsp;Francisco Garrido","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate pathological lesions observed in an individual and use them as a means to explore cultural patterns of caregiving.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>A well-preserved female skeleton aged 45 years or older exhibiting an unusual distribution and severity of alterations on joints. The individual comes from a Late Horizon cemetery (1400–1550 CE) in the Copiapó Valley, northern Chile.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Visual analysis was utilized to estimate sex and age, followed by a paleopathological differential diagnosis. Additionally, a model of disability and care was applied.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our examination suggests the presence of a polyarticular arthritic condition. The differential diagnosis pointed to spondyloarthritis, affecting the spine, sacrum, hands, knees and feet. The individual was buried without any discernible distinction from others within their local group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This case presents new evidence of the presence of spondyloarthritis in populations of South America before Spanish colonization, which probably produced mobility limitations. Additionally, it provides evidence of caregiving practices in the Copiapó society during the Late Horizon.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Our study contributes to the understanding of spondyloarthritis during the Inca period in northern Chile and indicates that despite living in a time of political transformation, labor demands, and social pressures related to Inca territorial expansion, caregivers appeared to have possessed adequate resources and time to offer aid and secure survival for individuals impacted by chronic disease.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Molecular indicators of arthritis were not included in our analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>A comparative study involving other instances of arthropathies associated with inflammatory disorders in the Andes region could offer valuable insights.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 50-57"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143535051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Archeometric detection of mercury: A paleopharmacological case study of skeletal remains of a child with vitamin deficiencies (Rouen, France, late 18–19th centuries)","authors":"Alexandra Zinn ,&nbsp;Aminte Thomann ,&nbsp;Yannick Lefrais ,&nbsp;Olivier Dutour ,&nbsp;Antony Colombo","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The French medico-historical literature reports the common use of mercury-based treatments until the mid-19th century. An exploratory paleopharmacological approach is presented for detecting mercury in a child’s skeletal remains suffering from vitamin deficiencies. This aims to corroborate written sources and provide a way to better understand disease therapeutic management.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>This study focuses on a 3–4-year-old child showing signs of rickets and possible scurvy from “rue Thubeuf<em>”</em> cemetery (Rouen, late 18–19th centuries). Analysis was carried out on a thoracic vertebral body and the right second deciduous mandibular molar.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) and cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS) provided mercury detection and quantification. Micro-CT analysis was implemented to detect the interglobular dentine potentially related to vitamin D deficiency.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The ED-XRF spectrum showed a mercury peak for the vertebra, none for the molar. The vertebra CV-AAS analysis revealed a high mercury rate of 9.373 mg/kg.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The individual was likely exposed to high mercury levels originating from therapeutic treatment, potentially for vitamin deficiencies, in the last months of life.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Paleopharmacological analysis is an important tool in the analysis of medical treatment in the past.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Soil analysis could contribute to improved knowledge of contamination sources.</div></div><div><h3>Further research</h3><div>This approach should be expanded to more individuals to better assess the treatment frequency of vitamin deficiency diseases during industrialization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 29-36"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143480582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The pathology of sacrifice: Dogs from an early Roman ‘ritual’ shaft in southern England","authors":"Ellen Green","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate the health of a large assemblage of Romano-British dogs recovered from the first century CE ritual shaft on the Nescot site in Surrey, England.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>5463 dog bones comprising an MNI of 140 individuals.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Bone fragments were visually inspected for pathology. In the case of suspected fractures, radiographic images were taken.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Lesions were observed in 2.26 % of skeletal remains and 14.06 % of dentition.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The Nescot dogs have similar rates of skeletal pathology to those recovered from other ‘ritual’ or cemetery contexts but lower rates than those recovered from Romano-British urban contexts.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Nescot represents one of the largest dog assemblages recovered from a ritual context and thus is a valuable for investigating the treatment of dogs. This study has highlighted the importance of standardised recording and quantification of pathology in zooarchaeology, as well as the importance of specialist involvement during excavation.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Limited recording at excavation level and the disarticulated nature of the bone limited examination at an ‘individual’ level. This made comparisons with other Romano-British sites challenging. No comparative data was available to assess the rates of dental pathology.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Given that the majority of zooarchaeological assemblages are disarticulated, the use of prevalence rates by element would greatly expand the amount of comparative data available.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 37-49"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143480581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}